Marshal Wen (Wen Qiong)

Marshal Wen’s given name was Wen Qiong. Legend holds he was a native of Wenzhou during the Tang dynasty, born on the Dragon Boat Festival. From childhood he studied esoteric Daoist practices, and after his death he became the foremost of the Ten Marshals serving under the Great Emperor of Dongyue (the Eastern Peak), posthumously enfeoffed as the Loyal and Tranquil King. Though fearsome in appearance—with a blue face and fangs—he embodies unwavering righteousness, presiding specifically over the subjugation of pestilence, absorption of poisons, and expulsion of evil spirits and calamities. In Wenzhou folk tradition, he is venerated as a tutelary deity; historically, processions bearing his image during the Dongyue Temple Fair were exceptionally grand. In Daoist ritual liturgies, his divine power is frequently invoked to eradicate epidemics and malevolent forces. Alongside Marshals Ma, Zhao, and Guan, he forms the Four Great Marshals who safeguard Daoist teachings and rites.